Posers raised on rote of SFs security advisor
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 23 2023: Lending voice to the public sentiment against the central security forces de-ployed in the state over their alleged support to armed Kuki militants in carrying out acts of arson and assaults on innocent civilians even after 20 days since the communal violence first broke out, All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO) has questioned the role of central security forces in the present crisis.

In a statement, AMUCO said that people of Manipur no longer feeling sa fe with de-ployment of central security forces.

In such situation the government is bringing in 20 more companies, AMUCO said while wondering if they are being brought in to aid the armed Kuki militants backed by drug cartels from Myanmar.

Unless they could control and rein in the armed militants and bring peace, there is no need for them in the state.

Just bringing in more militaries in-stead of neutralising the forces behind the communal tension will turn Manipur into a mili-tarised region, AMUCO said.

It further asked if the gov-ernment is bringing in more security forces to help the Kuki militants in burning houses of the other community in con-flict, abduct and murder in-nocent civilians, and to assault journalists.

The organisation also strongly condemned the assault on Journalists, who were covering the New Check-on incident on Monday, by the central security forces.

Had the central forces been sincere and committed to restoring peace, they would have controlled the situation and prevented continued attacks on civilians, state forces, central forces and their properties.

Despite their heavy presence, many hous-es in the foothills are being burnedon daily basis and these incidents are happening ei-ther in their vicinity or right in their presence.

Unfortunately, the central security forces are giving free hand to the armed Kuki militants by turning a blind eye.

In many places, they leave the village in the evening making the unarmed villag-ers soft targets for the armed militants.

As a result, people in the peripheral areas are no longer feeling secured under the watch of the central secu-rity forces, the statement said while enquiring if the central forces are in the state to control or abet the clash.

People of Manipur are de-manding the government to terminate Suspension of Op-eration (SoO) agreement with the armed Kuk militants for violation of SoO ground rules.

Unless the Central govern-ment withdraws from the So0 agreement and put an end to the onslaughts carded out by the armed militants, the gov-ernment cannot bring peace and normalcy in the state by deploying more security forc-es.

They may bring a relative calmness by force but such peace will not last as the ten-sion will flare up after some time, it cautioned.

AMUCO also criticised the inability of the state's securi-ty advisor to bring peace and normalcy in the state even af-ter 20 days since the violence broke out.

Reminding the moral re-sponsibility of the security advisor, AMUCO urged him to take up necessary initiatives to restore peace and normalcy understanding the sentiment of the people.

Meanwhile, Coordinating Committee on Manipur In-tegrity (COCOMI) demanded replacement of state's security advisor Kuldiep Singh on the ground that security forces are unable to take appropriate action against Kuki militants under Soo in-spite of being fully aware about violating the ground rules of the agreement.

In solidarity with the pro-tests launched by COCOMI, mass sit-in protests continued across the valley on Tuesday.

Speaking on the sidelines of some of the sit-ins, COCOMI assistant coordinator Joychan-dra Konthoujam questioned the integrity and honesty of retired IPS Kuldiep Singh, who was appointed as the securi-ty advisor to the government of Manipur, especially with reference to alleged failure to take strict action against Kuki militants who are violating So0 ground rules such as attacking civilians, setting houses on fire and setting up camps.

On top of this, the army and central forces deployed in the state to protect the people are instead turning against the people in addition to assault-ing press/media and firemen, who were merely doing their duty.

Thus, he demanded the security advisor to resign for his incompetency and urged the government to appoint another competent officer in-stead, while cautioning that failure to do so might compel the people to move against the government.

Joychandra then appealed for assisting the displaced people staying in relief camps especially the students, while demanding disqualification of the 10 Kuki MLAs for belying their oath to defend integrity of Manipur.

Anyone who wishes to live outside the state is free to do so but the unity and in-tegrity of Manipur cannot be disturbed.

He also urged the remaining 50 MLAs to shoulder their responsibilities.

The sit-in protests organ-isations by state level as well as local organisations were staged at Awang Khunou Leikai No.4 community hall, Lang-jing Achouba Mamang Leikai community hall, Sagolband Tera, Sanjenbam, Thoubal Wangkhem, Moirang Awoon Keithel & Thoibi Shopping Complex, Khurai Put hi - ba Leikai and Taobungkhok among others on 'Tuesday.

During the sit-ins, the protestors held placards and shouted slogans such as "No political rights to illegal immi-grants", "GOI should control Kuki So0 Militants", "Stop attacking villagers by Kuki Militants", "Stop inhumane economic blockade", "Stop influx of Myanmarese", "Save indigenous people from im-migrants", "Save Manipur forests", "Down with Narco terrorism", "Down with Sep-aratist Legislators", "Go Back Chin-Kuki Separatist Foreign-er", "Save Manipur's Integri-ty", "GOI, Don't Play Divisive Policy", "GOI, Don't remain as silent spectator", "No Gold-en triangle in Manipur", "No Separate Administration at any cost", "Immediate NRC, Need of the Hour", etc.

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